Pathways Linking Acculturation Profiles to Health Trajectories of Married Immigrant Women in South Korea

Abstract

This study investigated the health trajectories of married immigrant women in South Korea and examined the mediating role of psychosocial resources in linking acculturation profiles to health trajectories. A sample of 1635 mothers who participated in the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study was examined. The results identified three distinct health trajectories, that is, high-stable, decrease-from-high, and low-stable. In addition, three acculturation profiles (maladaptive, Korean-oriented bicultural, and undifferentiated) indirectly predicted health class through self-esteem and social network. Specifically, self-esteem mediated the path from the maladaptive and Korean-oriented bicultural profiles to a stable-low health class. Further, social networks mediated the effect of the Korean-oriented bicultural profile on the decrease from the high health class. These findings highlight the heterogeneity of married immigrant women’s health and suggest the importance of considering the relationship between individual acculturation profiles and psychosocial resources to promote the health of married immigrant women.